Best credit cards for travel…Fabulous braai and house party last night!…

A francolin (Frank) came to call, and he didn’t run away when we tossed him seeds. We’ve never had a resident Frank at this house.

From Travel & Leisure online magazine here:

This Is the No. 1 Travel Credit Card for 2025, According to a New Report

From no-fee favorites to premium perks, J.D. Power’s latest study reveals the cards cardholders love and which ones fall short. By Michael Cappetta, published on August 18, 2025

Rewards credit cards can lead to points for things like free airline tickets or hotel stays, and a new report reveals the ones that travelers love most.

American Express ranked as the top issuer in overall customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study. That was followed by Bank of America and Capital One. Chase Bank—which is known for its popular Chase Sapphire Reserve card—along with Discover and Wells Fargo, ranked as the next three. Each of the top six came in above the industry average.

John Cabell, the managing director of payments intelligence at J.D. Power, said in a statement increases in overall satisfaction are being driven by “cardholders with higher financial health scores and no revolving debt—especially those using cards with points/miles rewards programs and annual fee cards.”

We hope he’ll return and stay with us for a while.

On the opposite end of the spectrum were Credit One Bank, Premier Bankcard, and FNBO, which ranked as the lowest in overall customer satisfaction.

To determine its rankings, J.D. Power surveyed more than 37,000 credit card customers between June 2024 and June 2025.

When it comes to the best rewards credit cards without annual fees, the Capital One Savor Rewards Card, the Citi Double Cash card, and the Discover It Student Cash Credit Card ranked as the highest.

Among co-branded cards without an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express card, the Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi card, and the Apple Card took the top three spots in overall customer satisfaction.

Many travel and rewards credit cards have annual fees to help offset the numerous perks and opportunities they provide to customers. Within this category, The Platinum Card from American Express took the top spot, followed by the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card, the American Express Gold Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

The cards may be costly (Chase just raised its annual fee on the Reserve card to $795), but the perks can also be lucrative for travelers and shoppers. American Express Platinum cardholders, for example, receive access to more than 1,400 airport lounges, $200 in annual Uber credits, and a $300 credit to Equinox gyms, among other things.

For frequent flyers, American Airlines’ Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard was the top-ranked airline co-branded card.

But all these rewards did come at a cost: more than half of survey respondents were described as “financially unhealthy” and carried credit card balances.

“There was a significant increase in the number of financially unhealthy cardholders and those carrying revolving debt in early fielding of the study,” Cabell said in the statement.

Norman’s horns became tangled in some branches. He carried them around for one day, but on the second day, they were gone..He didn’t need any more stress while recovering from his broken leg.

Beyond credit cards, J.D. Power also looks at other travel-related industries, including the top travel apps and websites. In that 2023 ranking, the company found Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue had the highest customer satisfaction for airlines, while World of Hyatt, Choice Hotels, and Hilton Honors took the top spots for hotels.”

We have some of the cards as mentioned above, but we’ve avoided American Express since we’ve found it is not accepted in many instances due to vendors’ higher processing fees. In some cases, the processing fees are charged back to us at the time of purchase, and we’re not willing to pay those fees.

On another note, last night we attended an enjoyable braai/house party at Daphne and Neville’s lovely home, not far from us. The ambiance, the food, the dart games, and the musical entertainment were over the top. We couldn’t have had more fun! Thanks to our great hosts for this fantastic and memorable event at their home in the bush!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 24, 2015:

From Rusty’s Market in Cairns, Australia:  Pandan leaves from the Pandan Plant are used to make these beautiful, fragrant bouquets. As quoted from the owner’s written material: “The leaves are used in Southeast Asian cooking as well in making th “flowers” which act as a repellent to roaches. In addition, Pandan leaves are said to possess medicinal benefits containing tannin, glycosides, and alkaloids. The scents emitting from the flowers last a week and may be used as a freshener in cars, homes, or washrooms.” For more photos, please click here.

Do you dread Monday mornings?…Does retirement alleviate this familiar dread?…Norman is on the mend!…

Norman is improving and is now able to lie down to rest his broken leg. He’s able to put a little weight on it. We feed him a voracious amount of healthy fruit and vegetables to help him recover. He often spends several hours a day with us.

There’s something almost universal about the dread of Monday mornings. No matter what corner of the world we live in, no matter what stage of life we’ve reached, Monday seems to carry with it a shadow that hangs over Sunday evenings like a looming cloud. It doesn’t matter if one works in an office, teaches in a school, or even enjoys the so-called freedom of retirement and even a joyful life of world travel; Mondays have a reputation, and not a good one. They are the gatekeepers of responsibility, the unwelcome reminder that another week must be faced, whether we feel ready for it or not.

For so many people, Monday mornings are synonymous with alarm clocks ringing too soon. That piercing sound is rarely kind, interrupting dreams that seemed sweeter than the reality of another commute, another round of meetings, another set of deadlines. The weekend, with its promise of leisure and choice, is cut short by the inescapable reality that we must show up. Monday never negotiates—it demands, it insists. We can bargain with ourselves, press the snooze button once or twice, but in the end, Monday wins.

Part of the dread comes from contrast. Saturdays and Sundays often carry a lighter rhythm, even if they are filled with errands and chores. There’s a psychological difference in knowing those days belong to us, however briefly. We can choose when to wake up, what to do with our time, and how to order our day. But Monday steals that choice away. Suddenly, the hours are structured around commitments we did not freely design. There is a rigidity to the schedule, a narrowing of freedom. Monday reminds us that our lives are, in many ways, not entirely our own.

Norman loves carrots, apples, pears, and cabbage. His left broken leg’s swelling has gone down about 50% in the past week.

The dread is also tied to anticipation. Human beings have an uncanny ability to live inside their thoughts, and Mondays often trigger the mental checklist of everything waiting for us. Emails left unanswered on Friday afternoon suddenly stare back from our inboxes. Projects that seemed distant last week are suddenly due. Even before our feet hit the floor, our minds are already racing through tasks, obligations, and responsibilities. It’s not just the weight of Monday we carry, but the whole week stretching ahead like a steep climb.

There is also something about Monday that magnifies fatigue. No matter how much rest we get, it rarely feels like enough to reset from the demands of modern life. Many people spend the weekend trying to cram in recovery—sleeping late, socializing, catching up on housework—only to find themselves more tired when Monday arrives. It feels as though we are starting a marathon with legs that haven’t quite healed from the last one. No wonder Monday feels heavier than it should.

But not all of the dread is physical or practical. There’s a psychological layer as well. Mondays remind us of routine, of sameness. The novelty of a new week rarely sparks excitement—it signals repetition. For those in jobs that lack fulfillment or joy, Monday can feel like stepping back onto a treadmill that leads nowhere. Even for those who enjoy their work, Mondays still carry the pressure of performance, of having to prove ourselves again, week after week. That pressure can be exhausting in its own right.

What makes this dread so peculiar is that it affects people who technically have no reason to fear Mondays. Retirees often confess they still feel that twinge of anxiety when Sunday evening rolls around. Old habits linger in the body. After years of waking up early, dressing for work, and showing up on time, the mind can’t fully shake the association. Monday is etched into our cultural rhythm as the day of seriousness, of responsibility, of effort. Even without a boss waiting or a desk piled high, the feeling lingers. It is as though Monday has imprinted itself on our collective psyche.

Yet, when we strip away the reputation Monday carries, it is still just another day. The sun rises the same way. Birds still sing. The world does not change its rhythm because the calendar has turned. What changes is us—our anticipation, our dread, our expectations. We project onto Monday the weight of obligation, and in doing so, we give it power. Perhaps that’s why Fridays are celebrated and Mondays are mourned. We’ve collectively decided to honor one and curse the other.

Of course, not everyone feels this way. There are people who look forward to Monday as a fresh start, a clean slate. They welcome the routine, the structure, the chance to begin again. But they are often the exception. For most, Monday signifies the loss of freedom, the beginning of effort, and the burden of another cycle. The dread, then, is less about the day itself and more about what it represents in the story of our lives.

Maybe the challenge lies in reframing Monday, not as a punishment, but as an opportunity. Easier said than done, of course. But when we see Monday as inevitable suffering, it becomes just that. When we see it as a chance to begin anew, to reset intentions, to step into possibility, it can take on a softer tone. The day itself doesn’t change, but our relationship to it can.

Still, the cultural weight of Monday is hard to shake. For many, the dread will always creep in on Sunday night, a familiar visitor knocking at the door. And maybe that’s not entirely bad. Perhaps it’s a reminder that we crave balance, that we long for more freedom, more rest, more joy in our everyday lives. If nothing else, Monday makes us aware of what we’re missing, and perhaps that awareness can push us to shape our lives in ways that feel lighter, not just on weekends, but every day of the week.

Sure, we’ve lightened the load of dreading Monday morning, considering our fulfilling lives of non-stop world travel, but, even so, on Monday mornings, for a few minutes, that feeling washes over me, after which I shake myself loose and remind myself of this extraordinary life we lead. Grateful. Very grateful.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today,  August 18, 2015:

The drive to Smithfield Regional Park in Carins, Australia, was pleasant. The day started sunny, quickly changing to clouds and sprinkles. For more photos, please click here.

Important visa news for 29 countries..How does this impact us, or does it?…

From Travel & Leisure online magazine here.

“Passport Stamps Are Disappearing Across 29 Countries This Fall—Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

What was once a built-in souvenir is becoming obsolete as new technology takes over. By Opheli Garcia Lawler

Getting organized…

A red-headed finch at the birdbath.

Yes, Norman visited us, but it was last night in the dark, and I couldn’t manage to get a decent photo to share here today. Surely, he’ll return soon and we’ll be able to take pictures of “our boy.”

As much as I’d like to be done unpacking, I have yet to unpack my suitcase completely. Although we very much like this holiday home, it doesn’t have a lot of storage space. Then again, we’ve found that few holiday homes outside the US have adequate storage space for long-term travelers who may have more “stuff” than those staying for weeks as opposed to months, like us.

When these homes are built or remodeled for rental purposes, spending on extra cupboards and closets is not a priority. Of course, we’ll admit we’ve acquired more stuff while spending so much time here in the past nearly 13 years. Now, as I unpack my one bag, I’ll be making piles of clothing that have been replaced by newer items we recently purchased in the USA.

I’m not sure of the name of this bird. Any suggestions?

Most likely, I’ll offer some of the items in better shape to Vusi or Zef for their family members. I didn’t want to offend them by offering used clothing, but Louise assured me they are grateful. Zef has two wives, which is culturally accepted in South Africa, and surely his wives, his daughters, or other family members, can use the clothing.

This morning, after another good night’s sleep, I awoke to find Tom already out of bed. I’d slept for a solid seven hours, and he said he’s been awake since 2:00 am. He’ll try to avoid taking a nap today so he can sleep better, since both of us nodded off repeatedly while attempting to watch a few streamed shows last night.

We finally gave up trying to watch anything and turned off the laptop before 9:00 pm. By 10:00 pm, he was fast asleep, while I stayed awake until midnight. When I didn’t feel sleepy, I started streaming a boring show on my phone. Without Tom wearing his hearing aids at night, he couldn’t hear the sound of the show. I prefer not to use earbuds when trying to fall asleep.

This worked for me, and finally I drifted off, not awakening until 7:30 refreshed and ready to start my day. It was a night filled with realistic and wild dreams, but sound REM sleep is vital after such a long travel time. Hopefully, tonight, Tom will get at least seven or eight hours of sleep.

Several kudus, male, female, and youngsters, were in the garden near the braai.

Yesterday, we shopped at Spar in Komatipoort, spending US $330, ZAR 5963, restocking many of our usual items for meals, except for meat. The only meat we purchased was paloney for the mongoose. Once I upload today’s post, we’ll head to The Butchery for meat to last until we shop again just before Karen and Rich arrive in nine days.

Also, we’ll make the short trip to Daisy’s Den to pick up pellets, birdseeds, and pay in advance for lucerne to be delivered once a week for the next month. The animals are hungry, and anything we can do to feed them, we will do. We purchased two 5 kg (11-pound) bags of carrots and one large bag of small apples. The total cost for these three bags was under US $5.00, ZAR 90, a bargain compared to what we’d have paid for these items in the US.

As soon as Zef or Vusi arrive here and make the bed, I’ll have Tom toss my suitcase on the bed, and I’ll get to work on putting everything away.

That’s it for today, folks.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 19, 2015:

The water, the mountains, a blue sky. What more could we ask for, here in Trinity Beach, our home for three months? For more photos, please click here.

Safest places in the world for solo women travelers…

During our visit to Dubai in May 2013, where we stayed for several weeks, Tom took this photo from the 124th-floor observation deck of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which has a total of 163 stories. For more photos, please click here.

This morning, I stumbled across the following story from Travel + Leisure online magazine, prompting us to share points vital to women travelers. With our friend Lisa, as a solo woman traveler, we felt this topic was timely.

“This Is the Safest City in the World for Women Traveling Solo—and It’s Not in Europe or the U.S.

Dubai, the most populous emirate in the United Arab Emirates, is also one of the best destinations in the world for women.

Everyone deserves to feel safe when traveling around the world.

However, women traveling solo often have to take additional precautions to ensure they can enjoy a trip without worry, and that can sometimes include considering some destinations over others. If you’re a woman who plans to go on a trip alone this year, InsureMyTrip has a few suggestions.

In March, the travel insurance comparison site updated its list of the best cities for solo female travelers. To identify its top destinations, the company conducted a study of 62 cities, evaluating them across various factors, including safety for women and other tourism statistics, to create a list of the best cities for solo female travelers. It also sourced statistics from the online database Numbeo and examined metrics such as “feeling safe despite gender” and “feeling safe walking alone at night.” Additionally, it referenced info sourced from the World Economic Forum and the Georgetown Institute’s Women, Peace, and Security Index.

After looking at the numbers, the team named Dubai the safest city for solo female travelers.

____________________________________________________

Not only is Dubai designated as a safe country for solo women, but the following countries may also be safe, keeping in mind that regardless of the country, solo women travelers visit, safety precautions must be exercised, as they would be in their home country. No country/city is entirely safe. Please exercise the utmost caution when traveling alone, regardless of one’s gender.

Travel safety for solo women depends on various factors, including local culture, infrastructure, gender equality, and crime rates. While no destination is entirely risk-free, the following countries and cities are widely recognized as some of the safest places for solo female travelers, based on global safety indexes, personal freedom, and traveler reviews:

Other Safe Countries for Solo Women Travelers

1. Iceland

  • Why: Lowest crime rate in the world; gender equality is high; locals are friendly.

  • Highlight: Natural wonders like the Northern Lights, waterfalls, and geysers.

2. Japan

  • Why: Spotless, polite, efficient, safe public transport and walkable cities.

  • Highlight: Kyoto temples, Tokyo culture, cherry blossoms.

3. New Zealand

  • Why: Easy to get around, friendly people, stunning landscapes, low crime rate.

  • Highlight: Adventure travel in Queenstown, Maori culture, Hobbiton.

4. Portugal

  • Why: Relaxed vibe, welcoming locals, low crime in tourist areas.

  • Highlight: Lisbon’s old town, Porto’s riverfront, and the Algarve’s beaches.

5. Canada

  • Why: Safe cities, helpful people, well-developed infrastructure.

  • Highlight: Banff’s mountains, Vancouver’s cityscape, multicultural Toronto.

6. Finland

  • Why: High levels of trust and safety, gender equality, quiet and peaceful.

  • Highlight: Lapland, lakes and saunas, Midnight Sun.

7. Switzerland

  • Why: Clean, punctual, safe, well-organized transport system.

  • Highlight: Swiss Alps, Geneva, Lake Lucerne.

8. Slovenia

  • Why: Small, clean, under-touristed, very low crime.

  • Highlight: Lake Bled, charming capital Ljubljana, and alpine hiking.

9. Netherlands

  • Why: Liberal, bicycle-friendly, English widely spoken.

  • Highlight: Amsterdam’s canals, tulip fields, and art museums.

10. Austria

  • Why: Safe and clean, with rich culture and scenery.

  • Highlight: Vienna’s music scene, Salzburg’s Sound of Music charm.

Safest Cities for Solo Female Travelers

  • Copenhagen, Denmark – Progressive, walkable, and welcoming.

  • Singapore – Ultra-safe, high-tech, excellent public transit.

  • Reykjavík, Iceland – Friendly and compact, ideal for solo walks.

  • Helsinki, Finland – Calm, modern, and gender-equal.

  • Melbourne, Australia – Cultural, youthful, and safe for late-night exploration.

 Tips for Choosing Safe Solo Destinations

  1. Look for gender equality indicators (Global Gender Gap Report by World Economic Forum).

  2. Read recent traveler forums and reviews for real-life experiences.

  3. Avoid areas with political unrest, high gender-based violence, or weak legal protections.

  4. Check local laws and customs about clothing, behavior, and women’s rights.

Although solo travel doesn’t specifically apply to us, we have come in contact with many solo travelers, and one must not take for granted that safety is ensured anywhere in the world.

Last night, we headed to Tom’s sister Mary and brother-in-law, Eugene’s, lovely home in Andover for a small family gathering. This morning, Tom left early to pick up his sister Patty for her doctor’s appointment. Later today, we’ll pick up sisters Patty and Margie on our way to Billy’s Bar & Grill in Anoka for the weekly siblings and other family members’ gathering, starting at 3:30 PM.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 6, 2015:

The police department marching band entertained our ship as we came into port in Fiji. For more photos, please click here.

Part 1…32 tips for making a long-haul flight more comfortable…

A hornbill brought a treat to her reflection in the kitchen window.

With more dear friends, Karen and Rich,  coming to visit us from the US in July, we started thinking about how the flight can be more comfortable for those traveling long distances. Today, and tomorrow, we’re sharing this article from Travel and Leisure online magazine;

“32 Tips for Making a Long-haul Flight More Comfortable…

These in-flight hacks will help you enjoy the journey and feel more relaxed upon arrival.

Day 6…Kruger National Park…More photos…

What a magnificent animal!

Following are the top ten facts about elephants, along with more elephant information:

Elephants are fascinating creatures with many remarkable characteristics. Here are 10 amazing facts about them:
1. They are the largest land animals: Elephants are the largest land mammals on Earth, with African elephants being the largest.
2. They have incredible memory: Elephants have an impressive memory, known for remembering specific locations and recognizing individuals after long periods.
Some elephants were alone, but most were in small family units and big “parades.”

3. They communicate with vibrations: Elephants communicate not only through sounds but also through vibrations in the ground, allowing them to communicate over long distances.
4. Their trunks are incredibly versatile: An elephant’s trunk is not just a nose but also a hand, mouth, and breathing tool for smelling, drinking, bathing, and more.

This parade started crossing the road.

5. They have the longest pregnancy: Female elephants have the longest pregnancy of any mammal, lasting around 22 months.
6. Their skin is incredibly thick: Elephant skin is thick, often 2.5cm, and folds to retain more water, helping them cool down in the heat.

Some tourists were impatient, trying to maneuver their way around the big beasts, which is dangerous. An elephant can flip a car in a few seconds.

7. They are excellent swimmers: Despite their size, elephants are good swimmers, using their trunks as snorkels.
8. They are extremely intelligent: Elephants are considered one of the most intelligent animals on Earth, capable of self-awareness and recognizing themselves in a mirror.

We waited patiently for them to clear the road before we continued.

9. They have a keen sense of smell: Elephants have a remarkable sense of smell, allowing them to detect water sources up to 12 miles away.
10. They can’t jump: A fascinating fact is that elephants, despite their robust build, cannot jump.

It’s always exciting to see the much larger matriarch who leads the way for the others.

African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth and are known for their intelligence, strong social bonds, and iconic physical features like their large ears and tusks. There are two main species:

  1. African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana) – Found in grassy plains and woodlands across sub-Saharan Africa. They are the larger of the two species and have curved tusks and large, fan-shaped ears that help them stay cool.

  2. African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) – Smaller, with straighter tusks and more rounded ears. They live in the dense rainforests of Central and West Africa and were only recently recognized as a separate species due to genetic differences.

There were numerous occasions when they crossed the road.

Some cool facts:

  • Matriarchal societies: Elephant herds are led by the oldest female, the matriarch. She’s like a wise grandma who remembers migration routes and watering holes.

  • Communication: They use rumbles and infrasound to communicate over long distances—sometimes even miles apart.

  • Memory and emotion: “An elephant never forgets” isn’t just a saying. They’re known to mourn their dead and show empathy.
We spotted a yellow-billed stork at Sunset Dam.

Sadly, they’re also under threat. Poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict have caused a decline in their numbers, especially for forest elephants. Conservation efforts are ongoing, with national parks, anti-poaching laws, and international wildlife protections in place—but challenges remain.

This was one of the few photos we could take of Cape Buffalos, one of the Big Five.

We continue to enjoy trips to Kruger with our friend Lisa at least once a week after she leaves on May 1. It’s been such a joy sharing this stunning bush lifestyle with her.

Last night, we attended Quiz Night at Giraffe for another excellent evening. Kathy, Don, Connie, and Sandra joined us. We didn’t win but came in fifth of 12 groups. There were 64 players for the night, a massive group for this fun event.

We couldn’t believe how many elephants we saw in Kruger.

Soon, Tom will drop Lisa and me off at the Imbewe Spa for a pedicure for me and a massage for her. We booked the Thermal Game Drive for tonight at 7:00 pm, but we’ll have to change the date if the rain continues since the roads are so much worse in Marloth Park in the rain.

Bats were in the thatch rafters at the Mugg & Bean in Lower Sabie.

That’s it for today, dear readers. Hoping all is good with you.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 16, 2015:

In Kauai, spotting these yellow-tipped stamen on this Anthurium was a first for us. For more photos, please click here.

A glorious evening in the bush…Back to Kruger photos tomorrow…

We call this type of sunset photo the “Eyes of God.” Amazing!

Last night, we had a wonderful time at Lefera Restaurant at Ngwenya Resort, a few kilometers outside Marloth Park. We sat on the veranda having sundowners, and at 6:00 pm, we went indoors to their dining room to have the buffet dinner.

Sunset on the veranda at Ngwenya.

I was disappointed that I had forgotten to bring the camera, as the views of the river were spectacular. Here are a few photos.

It’s unbelievable that the all-you-can-eat buffet is priced at only ZAR 200, USD $10.35. Tom hosted the dinner for the five of us, and the total bill, including drinks, tax, and tips, was only ZAR 1548.65, US $80.16, averaging ZAR 309.69,  US $16.03.

The ambiance on the veranda, overlooking the Crocodile River with many animal sightings, was superb, and the service was impeccable. The food on the buffet was top-notch, and we all enjoyed hefty plates of delicious meats, vegetables, salads, and other side dishes.

Our friend Lisa, enjoying a tropical drink at Ngwenya last night.

I enjoyed the desserts, including a local favorite, Malva pudding, and another sweet and creamy concoction. I took a small taste of each and swooned with delight. But I had to stop for my health and commitment to losing weight, which is going well but slower after a month of working on it.

Here is another photo from the veranda last night at Ngwenya.

Sweets are not included in my diet unless I bake something suitable using keto sweeteners, almond, and coconut flours that don’t raise my blood sugar.

Soon, we are leaving to bring a bag of pellets to Kathy and Don’s home on the river. We wanted Lisa to meet them and to see them again for a few minutes.

We’ve had a lot of visitors this morning, including about 60 mongooses, six kudus, Mac, the impala, and a friend, Norman’s family without him, several bushbucks, and much to our delight, finally, two funny hornbills with their delightful antics. The bush sounds were outstanding this morning; we all reveled in the majestic environment.

That’s it for today, folks. We hope you enjoy your weekend. We sure will!

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 11, 2015:

In Kauai, I squealed when I spotted this gorgeous Rhododendron at the Princeville Botanical Gardens. For more photos, please click here.

Day 1, Kruger National Park…Guided game drive…Very cloudy day…

This scene at sunrise prompted us to take photos.

Being ready to head out the door to the safari vehicle at 5:00 am was a bit challenging. Still, the three of us managed to be prepared to go when Martin, our Kruger guide, arrived in the 10-person safari vehicle with two other guests already in tow.

We were concerned that in a 10-person vehicle, one or two of us may be stuck in the middle of three seats across and unable to take photos easily. As it turned out, there were only five of us. Lisa and I sat in one seat with Tom alone in front of us. We’d have no problem taking photos from our prime positions in the tiered seating game drive vehicle.

What’s the difference between a black-headed vulture and a red-headed vulture? But once again, they found that hemoglobin — and not carotenoids — is the main pigment responsible for the red coloration of the turkey vulture’s head skin, whilst eumelanin is the source for the coloration of the black vulture’s black head skin.

Since it was so early in the morning, the 20-minute drive to the Crocodile Bridge Gate was windy and cool. We’d all bundled up in layers and wore hats, and the time passed quickly while we were cool in the early morning temperatures.

Once we arrived at the gate, the guided safari vehicles were first in line, while tourists self-driving were in another row. By 6:30, we were processed and heading into the park. We used our Wild Card annual pass, and Lisa purchased a single-entry pass. Louise had arranged the guided tour at Marloth Park Info Centre for the six-hour morning game drive at the cost of ZAR 980, US $50.33.

Vultures only eat dead meat. They do not hunt for live wildlife.

Although we saw four of The Big Five with no rhinos in the areas we traveled since they’ve all been moved for safety reasons (to avoid poaching), we didn’t see a tremendous number of animals, not as many as we often see when we do a self-drive.

However, the sightings that Martin pursued after communicating with other drivers were worth the long distances we drove to specific locations. There, we saw the elusive leopard and, later, further away, male and female lions with a Cape buffalo kill.

Vultures are often seen in dead trees because the sturdy, leafless branches provide stable perches, unobstructed views, and a safe place to roost, especially for scavenging birds with flat, chicken-like feet.

We spent most of the six hours racing in the bouncing vehicle. My Fitbit registers the bouncing as if it were steps. At the end of the six hours, my watch registered almost 6000 steps when we only walked from the parking lot where Martin parked the vehicle to the Mugg & Bean restaurant in Lower Sabie, where Lisa and I had an early lunch. Tom wasn’t hungry and didn’t order.

An hour later, we were back on the road, with multiple elephant sightings in the process, as we returned to the Crocodile Bridge, where our six-hour tour was ending.

Spotting elephants in the wild is always an extraordinary experience.

We generously tipped Martin for a good day and were anxious to get in the house to review our photos. Later, we had a lovely dinner, and we all headed to bed early to make up for lost sleep. For the first time since we arrived, I slept well for over eight hours, woke up refreshed, and was ready for a new day.

The three of us are seated at the table on the veranda using our laptops. Tom is listening to podcasts using his earbuds, and Lisa and I are working on our respective websites, posting photos and information about our safari day. Here’s the link to Lisa’s site.

This is a younger elephant whose tusks are continuing to grow.

Tonight, the three of us are going to Girafe Bar & Grill for dinner and then “quiz night,” a three-hour group trivia game with many other locals and tourists in attendance. The locals take this game very seriously, so it should be fun.

We’ll add the remainder of our many photos over the next several days. Please check back.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 8, 2015

A juice bar on wheels in Hanalei, Kauai. For more photos, please click here.

A lazy Sunday with lots of activities planned for the upcoming week…

Mac was unhappy that another male impala came into the garden, “This is my house,” he says.

Shortly before we headed out the door last night for Jabula, Norman, Nina, and four of their kids and grandkids stopped by. It was Lisa’s first opportunity to see Norman and his family. We squealed with delight while I cut up carrots and apples for them. It was such a pleasure to show our friend my favorite animal.

We left for dinner a short time later, having another great evening at our favorite restaurant. We sat at the bar, engaging with manager Corrine and various guests who stopped by for drinks and dinner. As always, the food was exceptional, the service was spot-on, and the ambiance was its usual charming African decor and appeal.

A zebra was drinking from the pool.

Yesterday morning, we visited Louise and Danie at their Marloth Park Information Centre down the road from us to talk to her about a few activities we’d like to book while Lisa is here.

We jammed-packed these events since the school holidays and Easter week are coming, and everything will be booked. Here’s our week ahead, including the following:

  • Monday, 5:00 am: A safari vehicle for ten guests will pick us up at our house to commence a guided six-hour safari/game drive in Kruger National Park. We won’t be posting tomorrow since we’ll be busy working with the hundreds of photos we expect to take on our safari. However, we will post the remainder of the week, sharing our Kruger photos.
  • Tuesday, 4:30 pm: Heading to Giraffe Bar and Grill for dinner, followed by an evening of “Quiz Night.”
  • Wednesday, 3:00 pm: We’ll be picked up by a guide with a safari vehicle for an afternoon and evening game drive. We’ll enjoy the evening game drive with hopes of spotting nocturnal wildlife, followed by “Dinner in the Bush” outdoors, surrounded by wildlife in Kruger National Park.
  • Big Daddy.

  • Thursday, all day and evening: Spend the day and evening at the house with visiting wildlife, cooking on the braai, and savoring the peace and quiet of bush living.
  • Friday: Drive through Marloth Park in search of wildlife; 4:45 pm, head to Jabula for drinks and dinner.
  • Saturday, 4:45 pm, head to Jabula for drinks and dinner.
Multiple species in the garden.

It will be a fun week, and we’re looking forward to all of the events, especially sharing it with our friend Lisa, who’s loving every moment.

Once we’ve done the guided game drives, we’ll begin going into Kruger on self-drives a few times each week, stopping at the Mugg and Bean and the fabulous gift shop in Lower Sabie.

Soon, I’ll start prepping dinner. Tonight, Tom will have stir-fry leftovers from Wednesday, which we’d froze and defrosted in the refrigerator, and Lisa and I will have hake on the braai. We’ll have fresh buttered green beans, Greek salad, and keto lemon poppyseed muffins.

Young male bushbuck.

It’s overcast today, pleasantly cool and comfortable. We’re doing laundry, but the clothes won’t dry for days with the high humidity. At night, Tom will haul the laundry rack indoors, where we’ll leave it while we’re on safari in the morning. This way, we can ensure that monkeys or baboons don’t take our clothes.

Have a wonderful Sunday, wherever you may be. We send love and good wishes.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, April 6, 2015:

This is the only health food store within a half-hour drive, Healthy Hut. The inventory is abundant with fresh, locally grown organic produce, grass-fed meats, free-range chickens and eggs, and food and health supplies one would find in a much larger location in a big city. Pricey? Yep! For more photos, please click here.